Correlation between the Avian Community and Habitat Type during the Wintering Period in Zhalong National Nature Reserve, China

Abstract

Zhalong National Nature Reserve (Zhalong) is an important habitat of avian, especial for cranes and waterfowls. For grasping the relation between avian ecological group and habitat types and scientific management for resource, we used line transects to survey bird population and distribution during November-December from 2005-2009 at Zhalong, and used cluster analysis and Chi-Square tests to analyze data. We recorded 23 bird species of 15 families and 7 orders during the wintering period, including Anseriformes, Columbiformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes, Passeriformes, Strigiformes. Geographic region and dominant vegetation were the main influence factors of wintering avian distribution at Zhalong. Different ecological groups preferred different habitat types (p<0.01). Reed marsh were strong preferred, next were farmland and open forest. Passeres preferred reed marsh, open forest and farmland; Raptatores preferred open forest and reed marsh; Terrestores and Grallatores all preferred reed marsh and farmland. Different avian ecological groups occupied specific habitats types and we recorded some overlaps in bird distribution.